About Us

About Us

We believe community-based redevelopment projects have a unique ability to strengthen neighborhoods by creating a sense of ownership over public spaces. We engage residents in all phases of a project, from concept to construction to ongoing programming and upkeep. We design with and for the community—pushing beyond typical play space design: we’ve built community garden plots and a media lab; we have painted murals and all of our projects have included green stormwater infrastructure.

Mission & Vision

Make The World Better connects people and inspires stewardship through public space revitalization projects. We envision a world where people of all ages are empowered to make an impact on their communities.

ConnorBarwin

Founder & President

Connor Barwin is the Founder and Board President of Make The World Better Foundation. He is entering his 10th year in the NFL, currently playing with the New York Giants. He started his NFL career with the Houston Texans in 2009 after being drafted in the second round. Connor has also played for the Philadelphia...

JeffTubbs

Co-Founder & Director of Special Projects

Jeffrey Tubbs is the founder of JDT International, Inc. (JDT), a firm specializing in Public / Private Partnerships in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development. JDT is responsible for the development and rehabilitation of over 60 residential mixed-use units in the Philadelphia region. In the same year that JDT International was founded (2008), Tubbs also...

The Team

Resources

The following resources are tools that help to advance MTWB’s mission and increase our impact. Guided by these and other resources, we are able to build and sustain strong relationships with many of our city agency partners and community groups. These tools are available to local residents to help guide them in building stronger communities.

Park Friends Groups are community-led groups established to support and advocate for a specific park within Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s system. Local parks are made stronger by the advocacy, programming, fundraising and stewardship efforts led by these Friends Groups around the city. This resource will help anyone starting a new Friends Group or working to strengthen an existing one. Friends Groups pertain to PPR sites where no full-time staff are present.

The network of Philadelphia Advisory Councils serve in a city-wide partnership between local parks and playgrounds, and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation. Individual Advisory Councils work with staff at their home playground to assist in programming, fundraising, special events, maintenance, and physical improvements. Advisory Councils pertain to PPR sites that are staffed either full or part-time.

In the Philadelphia area, stormwater runoff is the number one cause of pollution to rivers and streams, the source of our drinking water. PWD is working to mitigate this issue through their Green City, Clean Waters initiative. From parks, to businesses, to residences, there is something we can all do to to decrease stormwater runoff in Philadelphia.

The PHL Crime Mapper is a tool developed with crime statistics from the Philadelphia Police Department. This interactive map allows users to draw a line around specific areas in Philly to track crime over the last three years.

In the coming years, the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuild Initiative will rebuild its civic assets with a $500M investment in libraries, recreation centers and parks. The Civic Infrastructure Report is a research study on the challenges and opportunities the City will face as it embarks on this large-scale investment.

One way local residents can decrease their stormwater runoff and help PWD meet the goals of Green City, Clean Waters is with the use of a rain barrel installed at home. Qualifying residents can receive a free rain barrel from PWD.

Philadelphia Water’s mission is to provide ALL Philadelphians with access to clean and safe water. If you are struggling to pay your water bill PWD has a Customer Assistance Program to help you reduce your water bill.

Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) is a program that will invest $500M to revitalize neighborhood parks, recreation centers, playgrounds, and libraries across the city over the next few years. MTWB is among the list of 21 first round Project Users selected to help implement the program.